Modified SUV Put into Action after Storm

WILMINGTON -- Tropical Storm Ernesto brought a large and unique volunteer to the area: a 10,000-pound modified vehicle.

The Response Technology Team vehicle (RTT) was made out of a Ford Excursion, but it is a lot more than just an SUV.

The vehicle is used for communications in times of disaster, as it can link up to satellites and transfer large amounts of information.

The Cape Fear chapter of the American Red Cross brought the vehicle to Wilmington, in case Ernesto strengthed and wiped out the area's communications. It proved to be useful in helped Pender and Duplin counties with their post-Ernesto flooding.

The first time the RTT was used was during the September 11 attacks. There are only nine of these trucks in the United States.